Scared to Let her Grow Up

[crazygame]

Twenty-four years ago today my aunt was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend. I was ten years old and it was certainly the day that I found out just how dark and horrible the world can be. Before that I had had my feelings hurt on the playground, but had led a pretty idyllic childhood. Although I will never compare my experience to how bad it was/is for her children (my cousins), I changed a lot that day.

This morning as I snuggled with my daughter, I worried about how I will handle times when she is exposed to hate and evil. It's so much easier now, when she believes that everyone loves her and her biggest problem is my inability to make a glass of milk appear immediately.

[birdmom]

Sorry for your loss.

When I watch DS sleep so innocently at night, I wonder the same thing. Sometimes I wish I could just put him in a bubble and keep him safe from all the nastiness that's out there.

[Deleted]

I'm sorry you lost your aunt in such a horrible way.

I'm with the other poster too--I just want a big bubble around my child!

[GailGoldie]

that is a horrible way to find out the world is not so kind. I'm so sorry.

and i agree... it's hard to worry about your kids learning such sadness.

We try to answer questions honestly with our sons- mostly it's our 5yo who asks stuff that might not be so pleasant to hear about... we're honest, but careful so he doesn't get scared, etc. Ie- his uncle is "over there" in the war... he knows about the "dangerous place... the war" but doesn't know much else. He knows that we're safe here, etc.

I remember 9/11 and my niece and nephew's little perfect world being ruined ... they were 8 and 10. I hated that they had to learn about it with such a horrific even that even adults couldn't process well. We can see manhattan from our town- so it was something that was very close to home for them - so saying "we're safe here" wasn't really true for them.... I do not look forward to my boys learing about 9/11 in school because of that.

[hannamaren]

This is one of the reasons that I want to move away from downtown and all the people begging on the street and the crazies. I just want to shelter L for a little longer.

[starlily]

I've been in criminal law for 10 years and have seen some seriously sick shit, so I think about this quite often. And hannamaren, the crazies are everywhere - don't lull yourself into a false sense of security.

[hannamaren]

Aug 23, 2012 20:13:13 GMT -5 starlily said:

I've been in criminal law for 10 years and have seen some seriously sick shit, so I think about this quite often. And hannamaren, the crazies are everywhere - don't lull yourself into a false sense of security.

I see one crazy person on the street at least, every day. I would rather not have to answer "what is wrong with that guy?" from my 2 yr old.
But .i know you have to be careful everywhere.